Display device



R. J. MANCUSO DISPLAY DEVICE April 18,1939.

Filed Sept. 29. 1957 'umIHMTHIIIHHI Patented Apr. is, 1939 2,154,911

UNITED STATES PATENT FFlE` DISPLAY DEVICE -rtalph i. Mancuso, Brooklyn, N. Y., assigner to Royal lviounters, inc., Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September 29, 1937, Serial No. 166,282

11 Ciaims. (Cl. l0-155) The present invention relates generally to iIntacks, staples, clips or the like to retain the parts provements in display devices of the collapsible in display position. picture frame type, wherein a body portion or An object of the present invention is to procenter panel of the device, adapted to receive and vide an inexpensive and more practical picture display suitable advertising matter, is surrounded frame display.

by a raised border or margin simulating a pic- Another object of the invention is to provide ture frame. a picture frame display device adapted to be It has been found that such displays with their easily and quickly assembled or collapsed.

three dimensional appearance attract the atten- Another object of the invention is to provide a 1() tion of a greater number of persons than where picture frame display device which may be set up 10 merely a ilat type of display is used. Also, the or disassembled with minimum eifort and skill appearance of a photograph or the like placed on on the part of the user.

the body portion of the device is considerably Another object of the invention is to provide a enhanced. picture frame display device of improved ap- 16 The invention is directed more particularly to pearance which may be quickly and easily col- 15 an improved construction for connecting the corlapsed to occupy a minimum amount of space.

ners of the device to facilitate erection to display Other and further objects of the invention will position and collapsing quickly to a single plane be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrafor shipping and storing. tive embodiment about to be described or Will be 20 Picture frame types of display devices have indicated in the appended claims and various ad- 20 heretofore been generally known but they have Vantages not referred to herein will occur to one not proven as satisfactory and as practical as deskilled in the art upon empolyment of the invensired. One of the chief diiculties with prior tion in practice. types has been in obtaining an eincient means A preferred embodiment of the invention has 25 and method for holding the device in display been chosen for purposes of illustration and de- 25 position, that is, means to hold the frame surscription and is shown in the accompanying rounding the body portion in raised and outdrawing, forming a part of the specication,

wardly extending relation thereto. wherein Heretofore, such frames have had to be cut and Fig. l is a perspective View showing a preferred 3 0 folded, secured with adhesive, tacks, clips, etc., embodiment of the present invention; so or else the frame was provided with externally Fig. 2 is a rear elevational View of the present visible slots on one part into which cooperating invention in collapsed position; tongues or hook-shaped portions on the other Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one part have had to be iitted. 'Ihese prior types corner of the present invention in collapsed posiwere difficult to assemble and could not be quickly tion;

and easily collapsed. The hook-shaped portions Fig. e is an enlarged fragmentary view of the were easily broken off or the slots were enlarged corner illustrated in Fig. 3 in display position;

or torn open by frequent assembly and disasand CJD sembly of the device. In addition, such hooks Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective 40 and slots were unsightly and marred the appear- View of the corner illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. 40 ance of otherwise pleasing picture frame displays. Referring again to the drawing, and more par- The disadvantages of using adhesives, tacks, ticularly to Figs. l and 2, there is shown a disclips, etc. to secure the prior devices are many. play device of the picture frame type preferably The present invention aims to provide a simple, formed from a single sheet of cardboard or other inexpensive and thoroughly practical means for suitable material comprising a body or center 45 securing and retaining a picture frame device in portion I adapted to receive suitable printing, display position. The present invention also conlithographing, photographing or the like, portemplates the provision of means for quickly and tions 2 attached to and extending outwardly from easily assembling or collapsing a picture frame the center portion and frame or margin portions display card without the necessity of first inter- 3 attached to and extending outwardly from the 50 fitting or releasing and securing members. The portions 2. The outwardly extending portions invention further contemplates the provision of a forming the frame or margin are preferably decopicture frame display card which is attractive rated with appropriate designs in keeping with in appearance and does not require the assemthe display or are made to simulate various kinds bling of interlocking projections or the use of of woods. 55

In order to facilitate folding to display position, the single sheet of material, from which the body and outwardly extending portions are preferably formed, is provided with score lines or creases 4 and 5. The inner score line 4 is preferably at the rear of the card to permit the inner frame portion 2 to be folded forwardly and the outer score line is preferably at the front of the card to permit the outer frame portion 3 to be folded rearwardly.

In order to facilitate erection of the device to display position, notches or recesses 9 are preferably cut out of the sheet of material comprising the device at the corners thereof. The outwardly extending portions adjacent to the body or center portion may then be folded to form the raised portions 2 having the outwardly extending frame or margin portions 3 attached thereto.

While the portions 2 have been shown as exr tending outwardly at an angle to the body portion l and the portions 3 as being substantially parallel to the body portion I, the angles which these parts make with the body portion may be varied to suit the taste of the individual.

When the device is in display position, the ends of adjacent frame portions meet along evenly abutting edges to form a smooth and almost invisible joint.

Io retain the frame portions in display position, a new and improved means has been provided (Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5). For the purposes of illustration and description, there are shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 enlarged fragmentary views of the lower right hand corner of the de' "ce, as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 shows the construction in collapsed position, Fig. 4 shows the device in display position, and Fig. 5 shows the device in display position with the cover portion I8 of one of the securing members lifted upwardly. These figures bring out in detail the primary improvement constituting the basis of the present application. Similar constructions are used on each corner of the device and a description of one will suflice for all.

Attached at one end thereof to a frame portion 3 by means of adhesive or other suitable means is a member I3, the general configuration of which is shown as substantially a right angle. The free end of this member extends outwardly along the side of an adjacent frame portion 3, substantially at right angles to the attached end of the member and is provided with a notch or recess I4 adjacent to the free end thereof. Secured to the latter frame portion S and preferably enclosing at least part of the free end of the rst member I3 is a recessed or hollowed-out member i6 provided with a cover I8 and having a projection I'I near one end thereof.

When the picture frame is in collapsed position, the free end 26 of the angle member I3 lies adjacent to the inner side I5 of the recessed member with the notch I4 in proximity to the projection I'I but spaced slightly therefrom. In order to assemble or erect the device, adjacent frame members are pushed toward each other to the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5 so that the outer side of the free leg of the angle member I3 lies adjacent to the side 2l of the recessed member I6. In this position, the free end 2@ of the right angle member I3 passes beyond the projection I'I on the recessed member I5 and the projection II on the recessed member nts into the recess or notch I4 on the member I3 to secure the parts together so that they will not become detached upon releasing the pressure by means of which they were assembled. The free end of the right angle member i3 is never completely out of the hollowed-out member I6 but is always partially within the hollow member so that in order to assemble the device to display position one merely has to press adjacent frame portions toward each other. No preliminary intertting of tongues and slots is necessary.

The free end 2i) of the angle member I3 is further adapted to be held in locked relation by the side of the recessed member which acts as a stop to prevent the free end 2U from accidentally loosening from its interlocking relation with the projection il and backing out of the recess. The free end 2G of the angle member is preferably retained within the hollow member I6 by means of any suitable overlying portion on the member I6, herein shown as a cover portion I8. The resiliency of the cardboard or other material comprising the angle member I3 is generally such that the free end 2d may readily be snapped over the projection Il on the recessed member I6. Very little resiliency is needed in the free end of the angle member and the resiliency of the cardboard or other similar material from which this member is preferably formed is suicient to allow the free end to be sprung into and out of locked relation innumerable times without impairing the effectiveness of the locking means in any way. To further improve the locking means, the hollowed out member it is preferably made of thinner material than the angle member so that the free end of the angle member extends slightly above the hollowed member. Thus, when the cover portion I8 (Fig. 4) is in operative position, it will frictionally grip the free end 2U which extends above the hollow member It and prevent accidental movement of the locking members and collapsing of the device.

Preferably, the angle members I3 do not all face in the same direction. By having some of the members face in one direction and some in an opposite direction, as shown, for example, in Fig. 2, the forces tending to hold the display device in assembled position are along different lines and, hence, the device will not assume its co1- lapsed form under accidental shocks or jars. The exact facing of the members as shown in Fig. 2 need not be adopted but varying positions may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of this feature.

The members i3 and I6, comprising the locking means, cooperate to provide a locking means which is concealed from view, not easily put out of order, and which is adapted to permit easily and quickly setting up or collapsing the device. The free end of the angle member I3 is always in starting position ready to be pushed home.

In Fig. 2, there is shown a supporting bracket 23 having locking means 25 thereon secured to the rear of the display and adapted to support the display on a flat surface such as a table. If desired, the device may be suspended from a wall or the like by supporting means 26, also at the rear of the device, and having a string or wire attached thereto.

While the present invention has been shown as substantially rectangular in form, it will be understood that other shapes or forms may be utilized without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Also, while the body and frame portions have been described as being formed and are preferably formed of a single sheet of material, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to a one-piece body and frame.

It will be seen that the present invention provides an inexpensive display of the picture frame type which may be readily and easily erected to display position or collapsed without the need of any particular skill on the part of the user. The interlocking parts are in position at all times to be lnterlocked merely by pressure applied to the sides of the frame. There are no parts which must be intertted, glued, clipped or otherwise secured together every time the device is assembled or disassembled. There are no loose or exposed parts which may become detached or lost. The device may be quickly assembled or collapsed and has no externally visible locking means to mar its appearance. In addition, the device is rugged in construction and fully capable of withstanding any rough use to which it may be subjected.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A display device of the picture frame type having outwardly extending marginal portions lying in the plane of the center part of the device when in collapsed position and movable Vinto a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the center part for display position, and means for retaining said marginal portions in display position comprising an L-shaped member attached at one end thereof to one marginal portion with the free end thereof extending over an adjacent marginal portion and a member attached to said adjacent marginal portion having a recess adapted to receive and retain the free end of said L-shaped member, said second member being further provided with a cover portion at least partially overlying the free end of said L-shaped member.

2. A display device having adjacent display sections movable into and out of display position, means connecting adjacent sections adapted to retain them in display position and adapted to readily permit movement thereof into and out of display position, said means comprising a substantially L-shaped member attached at one leg thereof to a display section With the free leg thereof extending over an adjacent display section and a flat member having a recess and a cover portion adapted to receive and retain the free leg of said rst member attached to said adjacent display section, said flat member being thinner than the free leg of said L-shaped member whereby the cover portion on said adjacent display section contacts the free leg of said rst member.

3. A display device having adjacent display sections movable into and out of display position, said adjacent sections being provided with means adapted to retain them in display position and adapted to readily permit movement thereof into and out of display position, the said means comprising a substantially L-shaped member with one leg thereof attached to a display section with the free end thereof extending over an adjacent display section, and a second member attached to said adjacent section having a recess adapted to receive and retain the free end of said L- shaped member, and a member overlying at least part of said recess and the free leg of said L-shaped member.

4. A display device having adjacent display sections movable into and out of display position, said display sections being provided with means adapted to retain them in display position and to readily permit movement thereof into and out of display position, the said means comprising a member attached at one end thereof to one display section with the free end thereof provided with a recess and extending along an adjacent display section and a fiat member attached to said adjacent display section having a recess. with a projection therein adapted to receive and retain the free end of said first member.

5. A display device of the picture frame type having adjacent sections movable into and out of display position, a member attached at one end thereof to one display section with the free end thereof extending along an adjacent display section and a flat member attached to an adjacent display section having a recess adapted to receive and retain the free end of said first member, said flat member being of lesser thickness than said rst member, and a cover member ex tending over at least a part of said recess and frictionally engaging the free end of said first member.

6. A display device having adjacent frame sections movable into and out of display position, a member attached at one end thereof to one frame section with the free end thereof extending outwardly over an adjacent frame section and a member attached to said adjacent frame section having a hollowed-out portion adapted to receive the free end of said rst member, one of said members having a projection adapted to cooperate with a recess in the other member for maintaining said device in display position and a cover member extending over said first member to assist in retaining the free end thereof Within the hallowed-out portion of said second member.

7. A display card comprising a center portion with surrounding marginal frame portions separable from each other and connected adjacent the ends thereof by interlocking means at the rear of said frame portions, said interlocking means being concealed from a person viewing the front and lying against the rear of said frame portions in a plane substantially parallel to the plane thereof, said interlocking means having a member attached at one end thereof to one portion of the display card with its free end lying adjacent a cooperating portion of the display card, and a member with a recess attached to the cooperating portion adapted to retain said free end portion therein, said frame portions lying out of the plane of the center portion when the display card is in display position.

8. A display device of the collapsible picture frame type comprising a display part, frame portions integral with said display part and at the sides thereof, said frame portions being adapted to be collapsed when not in use and adapted to be retained in display position when in use, and concealed means at the rear of said frame portions for retaining said portions in display position comprising a recessed member on one frame portion and a tongue member on another of said frame portions adapted to inter-engage to retain the frame portions in display position, said tongue member being at least partially within said recessed member when the display device is in assembled or collapsed position.

9. A polygonal shaped display device 0f the picture frame type formed of cardboard and comprising a center part having portions at the sides thereof adapted to cooperate in providing a frame for said center part, said frame portions being provided with means adapted to cooperate to secure the ends of adjacent frame portions in adjoining relationship when the display device is in display position, said means comprising a recessed member. on one frame portion having a cover member, and an outwardly extending portion on lan adjacent frame portion tting at least partially Within said recessed'mernber at all times. n H

l0. A display device having marginal portions movable into display and collapsed position and vice Versa, a member attached to one marginal portion of the display device with the free end thereof extending over an adjacentl marginal portion and having a recess in said free end, ,and a second member attached to said adjacent marginal portion ofthe display devioeand having a recess adapted to receive said iirst member and having a projection in said recess adapted to cooperaterwith the recess of said first member to hold said first member' in position in said recess and to hold said display device in display position. v y

11..A displayv device having marginal sections movable into display and Vcollapsed positions, members at the junctions of the'respective sections, each member being attached at 'an end to one section and with its vvopposite free end extending over an adjacent section, and recess membersadapted to cooperate with said first mentioned members, each of said recessed members being secured to one of the sections at the junction tliereoi` and having a recess therein to receive and retain the free end of an adjoining iirst member to hold said device in display pof sition, and means extending over at least a portion of each recess for limiting lateral movement of said free ends in said recesses.

' RALPH J. MANCUSO. 

